Moving is an exciting time in one’s life, but despite that excitement, there can be a certain level of anxiety that comes with it. It can feel overwhelming when you realize how much stuff you actually have and wonder, how am I going to get it all done on time?

The key is to be organized, to understand what you need to do when, what you actually need to take with you, and what can be left behind, basically, knowing what your moving essentials are. And luckily for you, that is exactly what I’m going to focus on right now.

Professionals or Friends?

We’ve all done it. We either coerced someone into helping us move or have been the one on the receiving end of that coercion. But moving a new couch to replace an old one, versus moving the entire contents of your home, are two entirely different things.

My first piece of moving advice is to decide whether or not you actually need professional movers. Sure, forgoing expert movers may save you money, but are those savings worth your sanity? If you do decide on hiring a company, ask around and do some thorough research before you make your selection.

Decide on what you can afford and what is a luxury. For example, some companies will also help you pack, but for an added cost; so, if you feel up to the task, pack your own things and just hire them for the heavy lifting.

Only Take What You Need

My next moving tip may seem obvious, but, believe me, we have all at some point gotten so fed up with packing that we end up throwing things into a box that we should have thrown out instead. Not all moves come with enough time to properly pack, but when time allows taking the time to go through your things is a big help.

Consider this, is it worth taking all your post-secondary school notes, and the books you had to lug around with them? Or how about those clothes that you haven’t worn in probably a year because they are too small?

Believe me, if you do get back to that size you will be more than happy to buy yourself some new clothes. Focus on future and less so on the past when packing.

Create a Checklist

I cannot stress enough how much a checklist is a moving essential for not becoming completely overwhelmed with the whole experience. Not only will a moving list help you keep track of what you need to get done, like the obvious, get some packing supplies, to the maybe not so obvious, remember to forward your mail.

A moving checklist is easy to find online and will help you organize everything you need to in order to have a successful move. Depending on the type of move you have planned, you can put tasks on your list that need to be done well-in-advance and those last minutes tasks that you really can’t forget.

From Point A to Point B

Have you considered how you plan to travel to your new home? Are you moving far or just to another neighbourhood? Do you have kids? Pets? Will you have to ship items and be without them for a couple of months after you reach your destination?

Have a plan for how you expect to get there will also help make the move an easier one. Once you arrive at Point B, be sure to focus on the essential items you will need to make your new place feel like home.

And if that means ensuring that some boxes or items are kept close at hand, then that’s what you should do. Once you have your travel plans set, be sure to have a backup plan in case something goes wrong.

After Your Arrival

Having a smooth arrival is just as important as the move, so don’t be afraid to check out the surrounding area of your new place. Say hello to your fellow neighbors, ask about great places to eat, and what they like to do in their free time.

When moving to a new neighborhood it can be easy to compare it to where you last lived. Missing your favorite mum and pop coffee shop or your go-to grocery store can happen if you had lived in that neighborhood for a significant time. However, it’s time to move on to new (and better) things and adjust to moving into your neighborhood, your new home.

When it comes time to unpack, it always helps to unpack one room at a time, if possible. Work on getting that room to where you want it to be, and don’t be afraid to take your time. You are working on building new memories, and memories can never be rushed.

Author’s Bio:

Danielle thrives on researching and writing on all aspects of life. Further to writing forZumper blog and personal finance, she is an advocate of self-improvement and living a life that is both financially responsible and knowledgeable. When she is not on her computer, she can be found spending time with her husband and two sons.